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GIS – November3, 2014:India has agreed to grant a Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 200 million to Mauritius as regards the Light Rail Transit project.An additional amount to the tune of USD 450 million from EXIM Bank of India at a very low interest rate will also be granted.

This announcement was made by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, yesterday at Treasury Building in Port Louis, following histête-à-tête with the Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs of the Republic of India, Smt Sushma Swaraj.The Minister assured that India will stand by her agreement, said the Prime Minister.

The Indian Minister, currently on an official visit to Mauritius, is the Chief Guest on the occasion of activities organised by the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund for the commemoration of the 180th Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers in Mauritius.

Discussions during the tête-à-tête also focused on: the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, the visa-on-arrival facility, the situation in the region, and Mauritius’ unwavering support for India to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

We had a good working session, observed the Prime Minister in a statement following the tête-à-tête.As I had mentioned, the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra D. Modi, had invited me, to attend his swearing-in ceremony.This is when we had planned this current visit, he observed.

On the issue of the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, Dr Ramgoolam said that Minister Swaraj reiterated the personal guarantee of Prime Minister Modi that no action would be taken that would hurt Mauritius’ interests.Everything will be done by taking into consideration the interests of Mauritius and Mauritius also will make efforts, he pointed out.

As regards the question of visa, that is extending the visa-on-arrival facility to Mauritians travelling to India, the Indian side assured that this will become a reality very soon, said the Prime Minister.

Dr Ramgoolam stated that other problems in the region were raised during the meeting with Minister Swaraj. He further assured that Mauritius will always support India to have a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

The courtesy call was followed by a meeting at delegation level.Earlier yesterday the Indian Minister paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, Mr Rajkeswur Purryag, GCSK, GOSK.She also attended the official ceremony commemorating the 180th Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers in Mauritius at the Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis.